Review of Spy Game (2001) by Alexander K — 09 Jun 2013

Spy Game wasn't a film I understood or comprehended the first time I watched it, primarily because usually Tony Scott films don't require a huge amount of focused attention or intelligent thought into the occurring events, although he does occasionally surprise me. He caught me off guard with Spy Game, and so I wasn't pleased.

But I found that Spy Game was a Tony Scott film that critics responded more positively to, so it was a necessity that I watch it again.

That proved effective because I found myself thoroughly pleased by Spy Game. Despite having similar issues I encountered the first time, namely the smaller amount of action than expected, the occasional minor confusions, somewhat irregular pacing and occasional lack of direction, I still enjoyed Spy Game.

It was mainly the performances of Brad Pitt and Robert Redford that made it compelling, because in a fashions that seems similar to the story, it's the young and rising star Brad Pitt being thought tricks of the trade in acting by the very talented Robert Redford. This reflects into the story due to Brad Pitt being a protege to Robert Redford being taught how to spy as a professional and how to manipulate the game, and the entire theme of passing the torch is fun to witness. Individually, they both also give fine performances, but when they work together is when they're working at their best.

And immense praise must the given to Tony Scott, because one of his more sophisticated stories proves to have a Quentin Tarantino style to it, namely in terms of use of an insightful script and cleverly placed cinematography. This reflects the work they did together years back when Quentin Tarantino wrote the script to True Romance and when he made clever rewrites to Crimson Tide, and the way they've picked up skills from each other reflects the positive elements that come with working with a protege to pass on the torch and assist a fellow career. Essentially, Spy Game can be interpreted as a symbol of film culture to a certain extent, but is nonetheless entertaining of its own right.

The dynamics are more clever than the average Tony Scott film and it compels the viewer into witnessing some of his finer work in a similar fashion to Crimson Tide. And the script is fine, the musical score is good, the action is entertaining and the general visual tone is good due to proper handling of cinematography and lighting, leaving Spy Game as a colourful visual experience.

The negatives aside from what were aforementioned are that the overall atmosphere in Spy Game doesn't care where to go or what to do, and so it's hard for us to care about. The plot just doesn't want to amaze or compel the audience so whatever comes from is is all how the viewer interprets it and pick up the importance how we see fit. But whatever important messages it intended to push fourth are lost amongst the diverting focus upon technicalities rather than whatever heart the film may have.

The structure was also confusing at times.

But Nevertheless, Spy Game was simply enjoyable and clever enough to pass as entertainment even if it doesn't perfect every area.